Farah set for Birmingham return - Samsung Diamond League

Reigning World and European 5000m champion Mo Farah will run in the 2 Mile race at the Aviva Birmingham Grand Prix on 26 August at Birmingham’s Alexander Stadium, two weeks after his attempt to win double gold at the London Olympic Games.

Britain’s greatest ever distance runner will return to the UK’s final Samsung Diamond League meet with Steve Ovett’s 34-year-old British outdoor 2 Mile record of 8:13.51 in his sights. Farah already holds the British indoor 2 Mile record, having broken it at the Aviva Grand Prix in Birmingham in February this year.

The 29-year-old has enjoyed a strong outdoor season so far in which he remains unbeaten in seven races, including impressive victories at the Eugene Samsung Diamond League in June and the Aviva London Grand Prix ten days ago.

Having received a standing ovation as he ran to victory and smashed the 5,00m Stadium Record by 16 seconds at last year’s Aviva Birmingham Grand Prix, Farah will be looking for a repeat performance as he lines up against some of the world’s best athletes.

"I’m looking forward to coming back to the Aviva Birmingham Grand Prix at the end of August. It was a special atmosphere there last year and another victory would be great.

"It’s a big year for athletics in the UK. The crowd has really got behind me on home soil in 2012, and I’m sure they’ll be in high spirits to cheer on the returning Olympic contingent in Birmingham."

For the moment, Farah’s focus remains firmly on the London Olympic Games as he looks to become the first British athlete to win either 5000m or 10,000m Olympic gold. Gordon Pirie collected a silver medal in the 5000m in Melbourne 1956, whilst the nearest a British athlete has come to an Olympic 10,000m title was a silver medal for Mike McLeod at the Los Angeles Games in 1984.

And Farah believes that if he can continue his recent form, he has every chance of winning athletics’ most treasured prize.

"I’m feeling good ahead of the Games. My preparation has gone to plan this summer and I’m confident. With a capacity home crowd behind me, I will try my best to be in the mix for the medals.

"Winning an Olympic title, there is no greater prize than that. I will be giving my all to make that a reality."